Documentary about immigration’s effect on Goshen and Mexican town to premiere Nov. 9

GOSHEN, Indiana – While the town of Goshen has grown used to film crews in the area, a different kind of video has recently been shot in the area. Instead of using big name actors, this documentary features the people of Goshen, including Mayor Allan Kauffman, state and local lawmakers, and community residents with varying views on and experiences related to immigration from Mexico.

“Fuerza,” a documentary focusing on Mexican immigration to the Elkhart County area, will be premiering on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Goshen Theater in downtown Goshen. Doors will open at 7 p.m., with music from the Chicago-based group Subatomico. The film is free and open to the public. A question and answer time will follow the showing.

The documentary examines the realities of the effect of immigration on two small cities: Goshen, Ind., and Apan, Hidalgo, Mexico. “We realized that immigration is usually seen as a political issue,” said Goshen College student and one of the film’s creator’s James Weber. “But when we looked into the issue, it was more about individuals, and about money. We hope to show that aspect of the issue.”

Apan is a “feeder” city for Goshen, meaning that many people emigrating from Apan come to Goshen, because of other family and friends already established in the area. “Fuerza” explores this connection, and shows how each city relies on the other in some way. Filming for the documentary took place in Elkhart County, Apan and along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The film is subtitled in both English and Spanish. Translators will also be available at the showings for the question and answer time.

Additional showings are planned for the following dates: Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at Goshen College in the Administration Building, Room 28 (geared towards churches and educators), and Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Goshen College Umble Center. All showings are free and open to the public.

“Fuerza” is the result of a student video documentary competition held by the Goshen College Peace and Justice Journalism Program, which is funded by Plowshares Peace Studies Project. The winner of the contest was Soluz Films, a group of four students from Goshen College: graduate Katrina Dyck (Thomasboro, Ill.), junior David Martinez (Goshen), sophomore Ben Noll (Lancaster, Pa.) and junior James Weber (Reading, Pa.). For more information, visit soluz.co.nr.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.